Bacteriological study of infectious Keratoconjunctivitis in Iraqi Sheep

Abstract EN

The study was conducted to investigate the bacterial causes of ovine Infectious keratoconjunctivitis, Since the knowledge of its etiology is limited, In a field present study was performed to determine the microorganisms involved.

Conjunctiva swabs were collected from Apparently normal eyes (n=160) and infected (n= 40).

All samples were cultivated for bacteria, Antimicrobial susceptibility of bacterial isolates were also done.

Totals of (9) and (8) genera of bacteria were recovered from non-infected and infected eyes, respectively.

Staphylococcus aureus was the most predominant bacteria as it was isolated from 30 (30.6%), 12 (24%) from apparent normal eyes and infected eyes respectively.

While Staphylococcus coagulase negative (CNS) was isolated from 10 (10.2%), 9 (18%).

Streptococcus SPP were 8 (8.16%), 4 (8%).

Corynebacterium SPP.

6 (6.1%), 7 (14%).

Bacillus SPP.

6 (6.1%%), 3 (6%).

Escherichia coli 15(15.3%), 4(8%).

Klebsiella SPP.

11 (11.2%), 6 (12%) from apparent normal eye and infected eye respectively.

While Proteus SPP.

9 (9.18%).

Pasteurella SPP.

3 (3%) were isolated from apparent normal eye only but Moraxella (Branhamella) ovis.

5(10%) were isolated from infected eye only.

High percentages of bacteria were susceptible to Chloramphenicol and ciprofloxacin antibacterial drugs and show resistance to other antibacterial.

The Staphylococcus coagulase negative (CNS) appear sensitive to Erythromycin 14(73.6%).

Moraxella SPP.

and Pasteurella SPP.

bacteria were sensitive to Gentamycin at 4(80%) and 3(100%) respectively.

The Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus coagulase negative were the most predominant bacteria.

Long-term monitoring of sheep populations provides a basis for understanding the impacts of disease outbreaks and improves management decisions